The Open-Minded Party

By: Dan
Published On: 8/11/2005 1:00:00 AM

The Democratic Party is very diverse, with many different people valuing very different issues, but we share in common a liberalism (i.e. open-mindedness) that we need when facing a strengthened, unified Republican Party whose leaders don't even need to get results to get elected.  In this time of bitter partisan conflict all over the country, Democrats, more than ever, need to remain unified. Tim Kaine may not represent the beliefs of every single Democrat in Virginia, but he is an excellent candidate who will do much better for Virginia than his opponent.

What I have found, more than anything with the Democratic Party, is that they can be swayed if a policy works.  You see, conservative Republicans have a plan and they stick to it.  That means that if necessary, they will go down with the ship, and bring everyone else with them.  When their tax cuts to the wealthiest Americans failed to bring about economic development, they called for more tax cuts, and when large corporations cheated the public and their employees by using false accounting practices, they called for more privatization and less corporate regulation!

On the other hand, with health care rates on the rise, people like Tim Kaine consider alternatives like reducing frivolous malpractice claims (similar to the Bush plan) while supporting imported drugs from Canada (opposed by the Republican Party platform). 

This is the reason that Democrats sometimes have trouble unifying the party.  They are more concerned with getting positive results than party politics.  This is the nature of the Democratic Party, with a purpose of progress for all people, while not adhering to a strict belief system that limits their options to choose the best possible solutions. 

Democrats, like Tim Kaine, are wise enough to realize that as times change, sometimes not all their original ideas or plans are going to work; so they listen to other opinions, to find the best solution to the problem.  This is the primary advantage of the Democratic Party, and something that should unify each and every one of the open-minded people in the State of Virginia. 

If we elect Tim Kaine to the Governor's seat, that doesn't mean we cannot hammer him for four years to make sure that he makes the most responsible choices and promotes Democratic principles.  However, with a candidate like Jerry Kilgore, all bets are off.  You get what you voted for, and the door is shut to alternative viewpoints.  It takes a lot for a conservative Republican to admit they should go down another path or consider another option, and by the time they decide to change a policy, the damage has already been done.

Look at gas prices, which have gone up by over $1 per gallon in just a couple years, and while conservative politicians preach about oil independence, they do nothing about improving fuel efficiency standards.  Look at the environment where climate change and water pollution threaten our health and the health of our children, but most Republicans are cautious and want only marginal improvements in the enforcement of environmental regulations, while the majority of Democrats support increased efforts to assist the business community in pollution abatement and innovative developments in energy efficiency and renewable energy.

Whether the issue is immigrant day-laborers, stem-cell research, drug policy, or improving education for underprivileged youth, Republicans like Jerry Kilgore will look to the GOP to see what to do, while Democrats like Tim Kaine will look only to the needs of people in Virginia.


Comments



What a load of decep (Jonathan - 4/4/2006 11:27:41 PM)
What a load of deceptive manure.  Congress has spent every extra dime in social security everything from supporting illegal immigrants to the War in Iraq.  To say that the system approaches its 70th birthday with a clean bill of health is a shameful misrepresentation.  An attack on the integrity of the individuals administering Social Security adds insult to injury.  The Social Security Administration is just one of many government and independent forecasting groups that have projected the inability to pay promised benefits, all in less than 15 years.  (the congressional budget office is one such source).  The fact is that, while Social Security is an admirable and important program of which I am in full support, it is flawed.  The money that was paid in should never have been squandered.  Social Security taxes should be for Social Security benefits and nothing else.  It?s that simple.  I say, while I know my opinion makes little difference, STOP THE RAID.  If congress can?t keep its thieving hands out of the community cookie jar, put my cookies in my jar and I?ll make sure their sweet tooth doesn?t spoil my retirement.  I have seen information about many different ways to fix Social Security.  There have been many proposals to introduce ?private accounts? from the President and the like.  None of these plans keep at their core the whole reason Social Security was established.  There is only one plan I?ve seen that stops the raid, achieves solvency and, more important than anything else, guarantees consistent income to keep retirees out of poverty.  I found the plan at fullemployment.org.  It?s called the 7.65% solution and I encourage everyone to go to their website and get a copy of their booklet.  Their plan stays true to Social Security and the founding principles of our country.


You are such a hack. (Will Franklin - 4/4/2006 11:27:41 PM)
You are such a hack. How is this on Google News?


waddya mean, write f (Josh - 4/4/2006 11:27:41 PM)
waddya mean, write for you?  y'all have contributors?


Lowell, What a fi (Josh - 4/4/2006 11:27:41 PM)
Lowell,

What a fine piece of writing.  Excellent points all around.  You are an outstanding writer.

Democrats are the absolute winners in terms of open-mindeness.  That is among our greatest strengths.  The entire revolution of the New Deal, for example was based on the principle "Do Something. See if it works; if it doesn't, change it."

A critic, partizan or bystander might read this piece and be tempted to misinterpret it as saying that Democrats don't stand for anything.  This is absolutely not the case.

Due to our open-mindedness, Democrats, Liberals, and Progressives have struggled to clearly state our Values in recent years.  This struggle is ending.

Democrats now know and can clearly state what we stand for.

We believe in Democracy and Broad Prosperity.  We believe in Smart Government, Strong Communities, Investing in the Future, and Leading by Example.

Make no mistake.  The principles that make us Democrats are adamantine.  They never waver, falter or stall.



What's up with Pasto (Josh - 4/4/2006 11:27:41 PM)
What's up with Pastor John?  Is this guy snarky?  Is he a troll?  Is he for real?

I don't get it.



the queerbatious pop (Pastor John - 4/4/2006 11:27:41 PM)
the queerbatious population, as well as the illegals, control the democratic party.

we must beat them all with bowling pins until they scream out the name of the lord